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Economic Inequality Attenuates the Positive Relationship Between Perceptions of Social Mobility and Subjective Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Shan Zhao

    (Beijing Normal University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Changhao Huang

    (Guangzhou University)

  • Peilian Chi

    (University of Macau)

  • Hongfei Du

    (Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai
    Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai
    Beijing Normal University
    South China Normal University)

Abstract

Economic inequality has been demonstrated to be deleterious to subjective well-being. The present study aims to uncover whether perceptions of upward social mobility would buffer the detrimental effects of economic inequality on subjective well-being. To answer this question, the current study utilized a large-scale nationally representative sample in China (N = 63,777) to investigate perceptions of social mobility, economic inequality, and their joint associations with subjective well-being. Multilevel modelling showed that individuals who perceived higher levels of social mobility (both in the past and in the future) had higher levels of subjective well-being, whereas economic inequality was not significantly associated with subjective well-being. More importantly, we found an interaction effect of perceptions of past mobility and economic inequality on subjective well-being. The interaction effect demonstrated that higher economic inequality reduced the positive relationship between past mobility and subjective well-being. These findings indicate perceptions of social mobility may have protective effects on subjective well-being, but such effects could be attenuated by unequal income distributions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shan Zhao & Changhao Huang & Peilian Chi & Hongfei Du, 2024. "Economic Inequality Attenuates the Positive Relationship Between Perceptions of Social Mobility and Subjective Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(2), pages 749-770, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:19:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-023-10263-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-023-10263-z
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